Digital greengrocer bypasses bureaucracy

Hunger remains a problem in developed countries — not for lack of food, but for lack of getting it where it needs to go before it rots. Two new online ventures are showing how the problem can be solved.

Cropmobster, covering seven counties in central California, lets growers and producers post their wares for hundreds of retailers and other buyers to see. Farmers and food makers not only sell their goods but also can build their brands through specials, donations and other promotions. 

Food Shift is an advisory service that works directly with restaurants, grocers and others to create local pathways that gather leftover food from shelves or banquets and transfer it to homeless shelters, food pantries and other distribution points where it can be used or given immediately.